Device for picking fruit



Feb. 26, 1929.

A. E. JAKKU DEVICE FOR PICKING FRUIT Filed Aug. 31, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet gnmmtoc Feb. 26, 1929.

A. E. JAKKU DEVICE FOR PICKING FRUIT Filed Aug. 31, 192'? 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 attowwaq Patented Feb. 26, 1929.

"U ED T T ARMAS EDMUND JAKKU, or noon RIVER, OREGON.

nrivron FOR PICKING FRUIT.

Application filed August 31, 1927. Serial No. 216,611.

My invention is intended for use 111 the picking vof fruits, and more particul. adapted to the picking of apples, and; pc 7 wherein the fruit will be picked directly into a lug box and the fruit picked be placedfdirectly in a box as picked and from there transported to the warehouse or processing plant for the packaging, thus eliminating the necessity of the undue handling of the fruit.

The primary object of the same is to prevent skin punctures, skin bruises, to increase the speed of the picker, both. in time and quantity picked, and at the same time to'place a maximum amount of fruit in the picking receptacle. 7

A further object of my new and improved device consists in providing simple and cilicient means for the picking of fruit that will be minimum in weight, minimum in cost, and one that will not easily get out of order, and that may be used for relatively long periods without alteration orrepair.

The invention consists primarily of a flexible body element adapted to being worn across the front of the wearer and having box engaging elements hingedly secured to thebody element and each of the end engaga ing elements having inwardly projecting lugs that are adapted to engage and support the picking receptacle to be maintained. therein. Means being provided to engage the box. engaging elements that will vlock the box relative to that of the hand engaging elements and the locking receptacle being adapted to engagement and disengagement to permit the free removal of the box from the supporting elements, shoulder straps positioned on the end engaging elements that are adapted to being worn over the shoulders of the picker. The same being adjustable in form, and so arranged that the picking receptacle may be carried at the front, at either side, or at the rear of the picker.

Means being provided to permit of the engagementand disengageimmt of the device from the box and to permit of the freestremoval of the device from the body of the picker.

Means also being provided for the removal of the device from the picker while engaged in picking and to support the same independently of that of the body of the picker.

With these and incidental objects in view the invention consists in certain novelfeatures of construction and combination of parts, the essential elements of which are set .and transported to the processing house.

forth in the appended claims, and a preferred form of embodiment of which is hereinafter shown with reference to the drawings which accompany and forma part of this specification.

Inthe drawings:

Fig. 1 is .aperspective new andiimproved devices, shown being worn by a picker therein.

and having a lug box disposed.

Fig; 2 is a perspective view of one of my new and improved devices being worn by a picker, and from which the picking lug box has been removed.

' Fig. 3 is a perspective view of my new and improved devices, illustrating the same in assembled position.

I Fig. 4 is a top,plan view, of the mechanism illustrated in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary, perspective,- end view, of the outer end of one of the engaging elements adapted to engage, the end of the lug box.

Fig. 6 is a sectional, plan view, taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 5, looking in thedirection indicated. 7

view of one of my Like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views.

In preferred embodiment, I form my deviceof end sections 1 and 2, having inwardly projecting feet 3 and 4 extending from the H lower end of the end sections, upon which the lug box 5 is carried.

Heretofore it has been the custom to pick orchard products, as apples, pears, peaches anthe like in boxes or baskets or other picking receptacles and to pour the picked prod ucts from the picking receptacle into lug boxes, the lug box being later carrled into the packing houses where the orchard products are processed and sorted for shipment. In my new and improved device, I p1ck directly into the lug box 5, and when the lug box is properly filled with orchard products, the same is then ren'ioved from the receptacle be made to engage. To adjust the elements from the lug box and at the same time imparts comfort to the wearer of the device because of the flexible element 6 adapting itself to the contour of the body of the picker. After the lug box 5 has been positioned within the device, the fastening element 7 is then passed in front of the lug box and is made to engage the locking latch 8.

I have found entirely satisfactory results are obtained where the element 7 is made of cord or rope and wherein a knot 9 is disposed on the free end of the same and is so positioned as to engage the locking latch 8. Shoulder straps 10 and 11 are secured to the end elements 1 and 2, and are adapted to a length and shape to support the device from the shoulders of the picker, as illustrated in Fig. 1 and in Fig. 2. The shoulder straps 10 and 11 are removably attached to the end elements, as by snap fasteners, terminating the ends; adjustment being provided through any suitable adjusting buckle, as illustrated at 12 in Fig. 3. To adapt the device to the picker, I have provided positioning notches 13 and 1 1, at the upper outer corner of each end section into which the snap fastener may same to angle and height to best suit the user of the same. Additional safety may be imparted to the device by the placing of an inwardly extending lug 15 upon each of the end sections, the object of which is to engage the outer front wall of the lug box to maintain the box in position, after the fastening element 7 has been positioned.

I have also found satisfactory results are obtained in the making of the end sections wherein a rod 16 forms the outer peripheral edge of each end section,the same eing connected by an element of sheet metal stock 17 forming an outer coating for the skeleton rod section 16, and at the same time imparting rigidity to each end section. However the end sections may be composed entirely of rod material without the reinforcing sheet metal.

While the form of mechanism herein shown and described is admirably adapted to fulfill the objects primarily stated, it is to be understood that it is not intended to con.- fine the invention to the one form of embodiment herein shown and described as it is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

What I claim is: I

1. In a device of the class described, a pair of oppositely positioned end members each provided with surfaces for engaging the bottom of a box, a flexible element permanently secured between said end members, a tie secured by one end to one of said end members, and means upon the other end member for detachably holding the free end of said tie.

2. In a device of the class described, a pair of end members, each end member being provided with an angularly disposed lower portion adapted to extend inwardly under the end of a box, a flexible member permanently connected between said end members adapted to extend along one side of the box, a tie secured by one end to one of said end members to traverse the opposite side of the box and means upon the other end member for detachably holding the free end of said tie.

3. In a device of the class described for supporting a fruit or similar box, comprising two end members, each end member having an inwardly turned foot engaging the bottom of the box and a body portion engaging the end of the box, a rectangular piece of webbing extending along one side of said box and connected to the respective end members, and a flexible member extending along the opposite side of said box, said flexible member being permanently secured to one end member and detachably secured to the other end member substantially as described.

ARMAS EDMUND JAKKU. 

